Ein neuer Atlas Italiens

Summary

This is an academic review of the 'Atlante fisico economico d'Italia' (Physical and Economic Atlas of Italy), edited by G. Dainelli and published by the Italian Tourist Association in 1940. The atlas comprises 82 plates with 508 maps, produced over six years. The reviewer, Norbert Krebs, highlights its comprehensive coverage of Italy's physical geography (geology, geomorphology, climate, hydrology, flora and fauna) as well as its human and economic geography (population distribution, migration, occupational structure, agriculture, industry, transport). He praises its reliance on solid statistical data, including the 1931 census and the 1929 agricultural cadastre. While commending the atlas's excellent printing quality, delicate color palette, and rich content, Krebs criticizes the vegetation map for lacking detail and questions the use of isometric curves in demographic and economic maps, arguing that this method does not always reflect the abrupt transitions between heterogeneous regions typical of a mountainous country. The review also notes the accompanying 139-page explanatory volume by Aldo Sestini and concludes by praising the atlas as a testament to Italian scientific and technical achievement.